Page 82 of Tracing Holland

“Tell you what, how about you adjust the action how you like it since you’re the one who will be playing it.”

He stares at me, completely confused.“I don’t understand.”

I jot down my e-mail address on the receipt and shove it back at him.“The guitar is yours, man.Let me know how she performs on stage.”

Holland doesn’t even speakto me for the first five minutes after we leave the music store.We walk in silence along the line of storefronts, and the silly grin on her face makes me smile every time I catch a glimpse of it.I can’t stop looking.

“You do realize that even after everything, all we’ve been through, that might be one of sexiest things I’ve ever seen,” she says, finally letting me into her head.

I return her grin and give her a mischievous look.“What?The way I man-handled President Power Trip at the end?”

She laughs.“No, the way you just changed some random kid’s life.”

Her smile fades when she sees my face.“You get that you not only gave that kid an unbelievable gift, you also gave him hope.You validated his dream.You gave him a story he will now share with every person he knows and will be a part of his narrative for the rest of his life.Whether you want it or not, think you deserve it or not, you have that power, Luke.You touch lives.”

Speechless, I can barely even muster a smile as I start walking again, staring at our reflections in the passing store windows.I know I’ll be lying awake tonight, fighting my way through that bombshell, but for now, for this second, I can’t even hope to start.I draw in a deep breath and turn back to her.

“You hungry?”I ask, finally.

She only grins knowingly and nods her head.“Yeah.I am.I saw a cute Thai place up ahead.”

Casey meetsme for coffee at the hotel restaurant that night, while the girls check out the in-house spa.I had received a few cryptic texts from Callie throughout the day with updates, but not enough to get a true sense of what to expect when I finally see my friend.He looks drained, defeated, and my heart constricts a bit.I still wish I could have been there to support him, even though I know that wasn’t really an option.

“Do you think I can get them to throw a couple shots in here?”Casey mumbles, glaring into his cup.

I smile and cast a glance over at the neighboring bar area.“Maybe we met in the wrong section?”

He smirks before leaning back with a groan.“Can I just say this day sucked?Like, massively sucked.”

“So then, how did we get stuck with a coffee date while the ladies got the spa?”

His grin slips out as he shakes his head.“No clue.The plan made perfect sense when Callie laid it out.And then, she walks away, and you’re like, wait…”

I laugh.“Yeah, that’s usually how it goes.”

“How about you?What did you and Holland do?”

“I’m pretty sure we’re here to talk about your day.”

He grunts and swirls his coffee.“I already told you it sucked.”

I almost laugh again.“Uh huh.Well, that’s a text message, my friend, not a coffee break.I’m gonna need more than that.“

“Geez, dude, when did you get so pushy?”he teases.

“When I started giving a shit about life and other people.”

“Funny how that works, huh?”

I roll my eyes.“Spare me the lecture and tell me about your father’s funeral, Case.”

He shakes his head and settles back into his chair.“They wanted each of us to say something,” he begins finally, glancing up at me.“I swear my mom did that just to watch me squirm.They literally stared at me when it was my turn.”

“Oh, shit.What did you do?”

He shrugs.“I got up and spoke.”

I let out my breath.“Wow…ok…”